Internal Combustion Engine Having On-Board Electrolyzer And Method Of Using Same

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treating the exhaust gases and improving fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine is shown, wherein an on board electrolyzer is employed to produce hydrogen (H 2 ) and oxygen (O 2 ) that are used to maximize the fuel efficiency and minimize exhaust emissions.

1 . A system for treating exhaust emissions comprising:
 an internal combustion engine including an exhaust gas converter for capturing NO 2 ;   a source of hydrogen;   means for directing the hydrogen to the exhaust gas converter for converting the NO 2  therein to N 2 ; and   means for exhausting the exhaust from said engine free from NO 2 .   
   
   
       2 . The system for treating exhaust emissions according to  claim 1 , wherein said source of hydrogen is an on-board electrolyzer. 
   
   
       3 . The system for treating exhaust emissions according to  claim 1 , wherein said internal combustion engine includes a source of anhydrous ammonia. 
   
   
       4 . The system for treating exhaust emissions according to  claim 3 , further comprising a first conduit means providing communication between the source of anhydrous ammonia and a combustion chamber for introducing anhydrous ammonia into the combustion chamber. 
   
   
       5 . The system for treating exhaust emissions according to  claim 4 , further comprising a second conduit means providing communication between said source of hydrogen and the combustion chamber for introducing hydrogen into the combustion chamber, the second conduit means including means for causing combustion of the hydrogen to react with the anhydrous ammonia in the combustion chamber of the engine. 
   
   
       6 . The system for treating exhaust emissions according to  claim 1 , further comprising a source of oxygen and a means for directing the oxygen upstream of the exhaust gas converter for converting the NO therein to NO 2 . 
   
   
       7 . An improvement in an internal combustion engine characterized by:
 an internal combustion engine including at least one combustion chamber;   a source of hydrogen; and   a first conduit means providing communication between said source of hydrogen and the combustion chamber for introducing hydrogen into the combustion chamber.   
   
   
       8 . The improvement in an internal combustion engine according to  claim 7 , further comprising a source of anhydrous ammonia and a second conduit means providing communication between the source of anhydrous ammonia and the combustion chamber for introducing anhydrous ammonia into the combustion chamber. 
   
   
       9 . The improvement in an internal combustion engine according to  claim 8 , wherein the first conduit means includes means for causing combustion of the hydrogen to react with the anhydrous ammonia in the combustion chamber of the engine. 
   
   
       10 . The improvement in an internal combustion engine according to  claim 7 , wherein said source of hydrogen is an on-board electrolyzer. 
   
   
       11 . A method for treating exhaust emissions comprising the steps of:
 providing an internal combustion engine including an exhaust gas converter for capturing NO 2 ;   providing a source of hydrogen;   causing the hydrogen to enter the exhaust gas converter, whereby the NO 2  contained therein is converted to N 2 ; and   exhausting the exhaust from said engine free from NO 2 .   
   
   
       12 . The method for treating exhaust emissions according to  claim 11 , wherein the source of hydrogen is an on-board electrolyzer. 
   
   
       13 . The method for treating exhaust emissions according to  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of providing a source of oxygen and directing the oxygen upstream of the exhaust gas converter for converting the NO therein to NO 2 .